The Mid-Career Makeover Show

The Power of Career Pivots – The Mid-Career Makeover Show

Sponsored by Get a Better Job Career Branding (getabetterjob.work)

🔹 Introduction
This episode is all about one of the most transformative career moves: the career pivot. Whether you're shifting industries, exploring a passion, or redefining your professional path, this episode will equip you with the inspiration, strategies, and mindset shifts needed to take the leap.

🔹 What is a Career Pivot?
A career pivot is a strategic shift in your professional direction that leverages your existing skills and experiences. It’s not about starting over but rather repurposing your strengths to align with new opportunities that fit your evolving goals. Like a basketball move, you keep one foot grounded while changing directions toward a better career fit.

🔹 The Rise of AI and the Need to Pivot
With AI rapidly transforming industries, the skills that got you here may not be enough to keep you competitive. The good news? A pivot can position you in future-focused industries like AI ethics, data analysis, or digital marketing. Whether upskilling in tech or creatively integrating AI into your field, embracing change keeps you ahead of the curve.

🔹 Real-Life Pivot Success Stories

• Chris Donovan – From telephone repairman to high-end shoe designer in his 50s.
• Julia Child – Discovered her love for cooking in her mid-30s and became a culinary icon.
• Mark Cuban – Went from bartender to billionaire entrepreneur by embracing opportunities.
• Howard Schultz – Transformed Starbucks from a small coffee company into a global brand.

These stories prove that it's never too late to pivot into something extraordinary!

🔹 A Personal Story of Pivoting
Host LaVonne McIver James shares her own journey from public relations to career branding. By recognizing her transferable skills in storytelling and messaging, she built a fulfilling career helping mid-career professionals craft their personal brands. Her pivot wasn’t about starting over—it was about refining her purpose.

🔹 Your Breakthrough Moment
Mid-career is your turning point. Take that first step:
✨ Enroll in a class
✨ Reach out to a mentor
✨ Start a side hustle
Success isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about taking action.

🔹 Final Takeaway
You are more capable than you realize, and the best chapters of your career are ahead of you. Don’t let fear keep you stagnant—embrace your pivot, take bold action, and own your success!

Get Your Copy of "Think Like a Leader to Build a Career Brand That Accelerates Your Success"
Available on Amazon—your guide to standing out and taking control of your career.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a nudge to pivot!

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Quiet Quitting: A Mid-Career Awakening

Welcome to The Mid-Career Makeover Show, where we’re tackling the workplace trend everyone’s buzzing about: quiet quitting. But here’s the twist—we’re flipping the narrative and showing you how it can be a powerful growth opportunity for mid-career professionals instead of a setback.

Feeling drained, stuck, or unfulfilled? Quiet quitting isn’t about giving up—it’s about reclaiming your energy, setting healthy boundaries, and redefining success on your terms. In this episode, we explore why quiet quitting resonates with mid-career professionals, the root causes behind it, and how you can use it as a springboard to thrive, not just survive.

Discover practical steps to align your career with your values, hear inspiring stories of mid-career pivots, and take away actionable insights to begin your own transformation.

💡 This isn’t about quitting—it’s about stepping into your power. Let’s turn quiet quitting into the boldest move of your career.

Visit getabetterjob.work for more career transformation resources, and don’t forget to subscribe for your weekly dose of mid-career inspiration!

📚 Featured Resource: How to Think Like a Leader to Build a Career Brand That Accelerates Your Success—available now on Amazon.

Your best is yet to come.

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This episode dives into a topic that resonates deeply with so many of us: Imposter Syndrome.

In 2024, searches for imposter syndrome surged by 75%, with studies revealing that 78% of business leaders have experienced it at some point in their careers. Despite undeniable achievements, you may feel like you don’t belong—that your success is luck, not skill. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Imposter Syndrome doesn’t have to hold you back. In this episode, we’ll explore what it is, why mid-career professionals are particularly vulnerable, and how societal norms and workplace culture fuel self-doubt. Through my personal story of confronting imposter syndrome, I’ll share practical tools and strategies to reframe your thoughts, challenge self-doubt, and embrace your accomplishments.

You’ll learn to:
✅ Identify and rewrite the narratives holding you back.
✅ Build confidence with simple, actionable steps like keeping a “win journal.”
✅ Leverage the power of gratitude, feedback, and self-compassion to foster resilience.

We’ll also hear inspiring examples of leaders and trailblazers—like Sheryl Sandberg and Viola Davis—who overcame imposter syndrome to reach new heights.

This is your time to step into your power, own your value, and rewrite the story of self-doubt. Don’t let imposter syndrome call the shots—you do.

Takeaway: Self-doubt is just a story. Rewrite it, own your success, and step into the career you deserve.

🎧 Tune in now for an inspiring and transformative conversation.

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Welcome to the premiere episode of The Mid-Career Makeover Show! Hosted by career branding strategist and creator of The Brand Breakthrough System, LaVonne McIver James, this podcast is your bi-weekly guide to breaking through barriers, rediscovering your potential, and creating a career that aligns with your values and aspirations.

In this episode, LaVonne takes us on a heartfelt journey, sharing her personal story of finding her voice, overcoming challenges, and learning the transformative power of storytelling. Drawing from her experiences as a middle child in a bustling household, a high school athlete who learned the importance of being seen, and a career coach helping mid-career professionals reclaim their spark, LaVonne inspires listeners to reflect on their own journeys.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

The Power of Your Story: Learn how to turn your career experiences into a compelling narrative that sets you apart in a competitive workforce.

Mid-Career Transformation: Explore what a "mid-career makeover" really means and how it can help you realign your career with your values and goals.

Experience as Your Superpower: Find out why your unique career path is your greatest asset and how to leverage it to unlock new opportunities.

Storytelling Framework: Get practical tips on crafting a story that highlights your starting point, pivotal moments, and vision for the future.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overlooked, or ready for a change, this episode offers actionable strategies, thought-provoking questions, and plenty of encouragement to help you take the first step toward your next big chapter.

Don’t miss this inspiring kickoff to a podcast dedicated to helping mid-career professionals stand out, level up, and own their success. It’s time to write the next chapter of your career story—one filled with purpose, passion, and potential.

🎧 Tune in now and start your Mid-Career Makeover!

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In this episode of The Mid-Career Makeover Show, host LaVonne James dives deep into the real reasons mid-career professionals feel stuck—and what it actually takes to get unstuck.

LaVonne unpacks the psychological and emotional underpinnings of career stagnation—from status quo bias to imposter syndrome—and walks listeners through five powerfully reflective questions designed to spark clarity and action. Whether you're battling burnout, overwhelmed with options, or shackled by “golden handcuffs,” this episode helps you pinpoint what kind of “stuck” you’re in—and how to take your first bold step toward reinvention.

This episode isn’t just motivational—it’s tactical. With LaVonne’s guidance, you’ll gain:

• A breakdown of five psychological biases that sabotage progress
• A step-by-step clarity exercise that reveals your hidden career desires
• A personalized approach to identifying the type of stuck you’re facing
• Practical actions you can take this week to regain momentum

💡 Key takeaway: You’re not broken—you’re in a season of discovery. And you have the power to edit your story as many times as you need.

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Thank you for listening! Connect with me on LinkedIn.